Talking about possibility

5.1 We use may and might to talk about present or future possibility. May often indicates
a slightly higher possibility.

Where’s Tom? You’d better take an

umbrella with you. It
may/might rain.

He may/might
be in the computer Please keep
room. quiet!

NOTE
1 We use an infinitive without to after may and might.
Ask Tom. He may/might know Ann’s mobile phone number.
We’d better hurry. Jane may/might already be there now.

2 The negative forms are may not and might not.

He is busy today. He may not/might not come.

3 We can also use could when we are less certain.

Do you think
John’s story is
true?
It could be
true, but I doubt.

5.2 We use may/might + have + past participle (done, gone, seen, etc.) to talk about possibilities
in the past.
A: Did you call Sarah last night?
B: I did, but nobody answered the phone. She may/might have
been asleep.

A: I met Paul yesterday, but he didn’t tell me about the picnic.

B: He may/might not have known about it.

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5.3 We can also use may/might + be + verb ending in -ing for something that is likely to be
taking place now or in the future.
It’s noon. They may/might be having lunch now.
Compare: They are at the fast food restaurant. They are having lunch there.

Practice

A Rewrite these sentences using may (not) or might (not). Change the wording and/or structure of the
sentence as needed, but keep the original meaning.

1 It’s possible that Sue will not come.

Sue may/might not come.

2 It’s not likely that the temperature will drop further tomorrow.
The temperature may/might drop further tomorrow, but it’s not likely.

3 It’s possible that I won’t have time to see you off at the airport.
I may/might not have time to see you off at the airport.

4 It’s not likely that her train will be late.

Her train may/might be late, but it’s not likely.

5 It’s not likely that my parents will approve of my plan.

My parents may/might approve of my plan, but it’s not likely.

6 It’s unlikely that her story is true.

Her story may/might be true, but it’s not likely.

7 Perhaps my grandmother won’t go by plane.

My grandmother may/might not go by plane.

8 It’s possible that the meeting won’t last long.

The meeting may/might not last long.

9 The film is not likely to break the box office record.

The film may/might break the box office record, but it’s not likely.

10 There’s a possibility that he won’t be back until next month.

He may/might not be back until next month.

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B Look at the pictures and write what you think the people in your neighbourhood may or might be doing
at the moment.
(Suggested answers)
1

Mary’s not at home. She may/might be out selling flags .

It’s Saturday. Ted may/might be playing basketball .

3
Today’s Mr Chan’s day off. He may/might be watering plants in the garden

Mrs Lau is out. She may/might be (doing her) shopping .

5
Mr and Mrs Kwok’s domestic helper may/might be cleaning the house

6
The postman always comes on Saturday. He may/might be delivering
letters now.

Miss Lee has a dog. She may/might be taking it for a walk .

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 8
Kevin loves books. He may/might be reading in the library

9
Kevin’s sister loves cooking. She may/might be baking (a cake)

in the kitchen
.

C Complete the sentences below. Use the verbs provided with the may/might (not) + have + past
participle structure.

1 A: Linda didn’t call me last night.

B: She may/might have forgotten (forget).

2 A: I can’t find Fred.

B: He may/might have gone (go) home.

3 A: Stella hasn’t returned my novel.

B: She may/might not have finished (finish) it yet.

4 A: Susan didn’t join us yesterday.

B: She may/might have been (be) too busy.

5 A: I can’t find my umbrella.

B: You may/might have left (leave) it on the bus.

6 A: Sally didn’t come to the meeting last Friday.

B: She may/might not have known (know) about it.

7 A: Tom looks very upset.

B: He may/might have failed (fail) the test.

8 A: Alan is wearing a mask.

B: He may/might have caught (catch) the flu.

9 A: The dog is limping.

B: It may/might have injured (injure) its paw.

10 A: Ann’s hair is wet.

B: She may/might have had (have) a shower.

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 D Complete this interview using may/might + the appropriate form of the verbs provided. Use each
verb once only.

aim
be Reporter What were you doing when the robbery took place?
burst
Witness I was having breakfast at the restaurant opposite the bank.
call
dream Reporter What time was it?
fire
go Witness I wasn’t looking at my watch. It (1) may/might have been between
have
9.30 and 9.45.
hit
last Reporter What happened then?
rob
Witness I heard a shot. I didn’t realise it was a gunshot at first. I thought a car tyre
(2) may/might have burst or something. I went out to see what
was going on.

Reporter What did you see?

Witness I saw two men running out of the bank. One of them was carrying a big bag.
I thought they (3) may/might have robbed the bank.

Reporter What did they look like?

Witness I didn’t see their faces. They (4) may/might have had masks or
something over their faces.

Reporter I see. Now let’s go back to what happened. You saw them running out of the
bank. What then?

Witness Someone (5) may/might have called 999, as policemen were soon
there. One of the robbers (6) may/might have aimed a shot at the
policemen, because the police returned fire immediately. Both sides
(7) may/might have fired more than 10 shots and the shooting
(8) may/might have lasted 5 to 10 minutes. Then one of the robbers
fell. A bullet (9) may/might have hit him in the leg.

Reporter Did the other surrender?

Witness No, he ran away and the policemen gave chase. He (10) may/might have gone

no further than a few hundred metres when the police

caught him, and it was all over. It was like a Hollywood film. In fact it feels
so unreal that I feel as if I (11) may/might have dreamed/dreamt it all.

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E The underlined verbs in some of these sentences are wrong. Write the correct answers in the spaces
provided. If the underlined verb is correct, put a tick (✓). The first two have been done for you as examples.

1 It rained last night. They might stay at home all evening. have stayed

2 She hasn’t arrived yet. She may have missed her train. ✓

3 ‘There’s someone at the door.’ ‘It could be Frank.’ ✓

4 Ted was absent yesterday. He might been ill. have been

5 The weather isn’t very good. We might not go to the beach today. ✓/not be going

6 Marcus is doing well at work. He might got a pay rise soon. get/be getting

7 Jack is very busy. He might prepare for the exam. be preparing

8 I think the man is guilty, but I could have been wrong. be

9 I can hear the neighbours shouting. They may have an argument. be having

10 ‘My watch isn’t working.’ ‘The battery may be flat.’ ✓

11 Jennifer’s brother is having problems with his grammar. He may ✓

need help.

12 Mrs Chan usually goes shopping in the afternoon so she may not ✓
be shopping now.

F Complete the conversation by matching the correct phrase (A-I) to each blank. Use each letter once only.
Wendy Have you seen my tablet computer?

Daniel No I haven’t.

Wendy I think I (1) C .

Daniel Don’t panic. When and where did you last use it?

Wendy I used it this morning when I had my breakfast at the café.

Daniel You (2) G in the café. It (3) D . Why don’t you call the café and ask?

Wendy I remember taking it home after that, but you (4) A . I’ll call them now …
oh, no one is answering the phone.

Daniel Well it’s just round the corner. Let’s go there and have a look.

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(They reach the café.)

Wendy It’s noisy. They (5) I inside.

Daniel They (6) H . Let’s go inside.

Wendy There’s no one here. The music has stopped. How strange.

Josh How can I help you?

Daniel Oh … you scared me. We are looking for a tablet computer. We (7) B .

Josh Are you talking about this one?

Wendy Oh yes. It’s this one. Thanks!

Josh You’re welcome.

Daniel It’s so strange. I could have sworn a party was going on in here as we were arriving.

Josh Well, that’s because I was using this app – ‘iAtmosphere’. You (8) E create
different atmospheres. I connected the speakers to my smartphone and the sound
effects on the app created the party atmosphere just now.

Daniel That’s so clever. I (9) F later.

Josh You should. You’ll like it.

A could be right
B might have left it here
C might have lost it
D could still be there
E can use it to
F may download it to my phone
G might have left it
H might not have heard your
phone call
I might be having a party

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 G Lily is interviewing her school’s Road Safety Patrol leader, June, about road safety. Circle the correct
answers to complete the conversation.

Lily June, (1) ____ you tell us about some of the different types of road crossings?
June Yes, some students (2) ____ know about them. You (3) ____ choose to cross the road using
a footbridge, a subway or a zebra crossing. If none of these are available, you (4) ____ a
safe location to cross the road.
Lily What (5) ____ we do before crossing the road?
June First, we (6) ____ in front of the crossing because some cars (7) ____ overlooked the traffic
signals. Don’t forget to look right and left at least twice since cars (8) ____ be coming from
both directions. We (9) ____ that all cars have stopped before we cross the road.
Lily I see. What (10) ____ if the traffic light starts flashing while we’re still crossing the road?
June In that case, just walk slightly faster to reach the other side.
Lily Do you have any extra advice for us?
June Yes. While crossing the road, you (11) ____ run. The best way to cross is in a straight line.
As drivers (12) ____ be able to see you, (13) ____ on a crossing longer than necessary.
Lily I’ve noticed that there are traffic wardens to help us cross the road in front of our school.
That road is always very busy.
June Yes. Let me remind students that we (14) ____ the traffic wardens’ directions while
crossing the road in front of our school.
Lily Thank you, June, for giving us so many tips on how to be smart road users.
June You’re welcome.

(1) A can (5) A might (9) A must make sure (13) A may not remain
B might B should B might be sure B might not remain
C may C may C may have ensured C do not remain
(2) A may not (6) A stop (10) A should we do (14) A should always
B might have B cannot stop B must they do follow
C have not C should stop C may you do B might have
followed
(3) A can (7) A have (11) A must not
C may be following
B may be B should have B have to
C may have C might have C can
(4) A find (8) A may (12) A may
B should find B may be B may not
C may have found C should C could not

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